Here is an overview of
the most commonly asked questions. If your question is not
answered in this section, just let us know by e-mailing us
at Amara@amarasoftware.com and I will answer it and if it
is relevant, also add it to this FAQ section.

Q:
Do the created Flash files work on any website, on any system and in any browser?
A: Yes, our files will definitely work, and if you do encountery any problem embedding the SWF files in your webpage, after you have followed the instructions, please feel free to contact us, so we can guide you personally through the process, as our SWF files will work on any website, on any system and in any browser.

Q:
Can you provide me with a detailed step by step tutorial for
the application?
A: Yes, please check out the SlideShow tutorial.

Q: Are my purchases secure?
A: Yes, they are. We use BMTmicro to process the purchases.
This is a trusted US based e-commerce gateway, used by thousands of
shareware developers.

Q:
How do I save/load/save the settings for each animation?
A: All our tools automatically save all data entered in the application as a template - a data file containing all the info you entered for easy re-use later.

It's best to create a new template for each new animation you want to create.

To do this, click on "New" above "Generate and Display". You can re-name the file by highlighting and typing over the template name. Your animation and its settings will now be saved under this name when you close the application.

To save or load the .sbtf data file with a specific file name, click on the respective buttons to do so. Note that .sbtf data files are not files you should insert in your webpage. You can only insert the SWF file in your webpage

Q:
I have inserted the .sbtf file into my website, but why can't
I see it?
.sbtf files are data files, that store the application settings and should not be inserted in your website. Only the created SWF (Flash) files should be inserted in your webpage.

Q:
How do I save the SWF file?
A: To save the SWF (Flash) file you need to click on the "Save" tab (near the "Preview" Tab) at the bottom of the right pane of the program, and then on "Save SWF".

Q: How do I make the Flash file auto-start from a CD when it is inserted into a CD driver? A: Please check out our auto run tutorial to learn more about this.

Q:
My HTML editor does not provide me with a good option to insert
SWF files, how should I go about this?A: When you insert the
Slideshow into your HTML page, please use the
HTML code as provided by the software. Alternatively, you
may use the code generated by your own HTML editor.

Q:
How do I create a Photo album with navigation buttons?A: The software allows
you to create slideshows, albums and albums
with navigation buttons. Please go to the "Type"
tab to select the appropriate Flash animation that you would
like to create.

Q:
Why do I get a message that I don't have the Flash player installed
or an incorrect version?Please visit the Adobe Flash player fix page to read more about this issue.

Q:
How do I add text on top of each slide?A: If you wish, you can
enter some basic text to be displayed on each picture/slide.
To do so, click on the "Text" tab, select the required
slide and enter your text.

Q:
How do I make the slideshow loop only once and freeze on
the last slide?
A: The software allows you to loop the slide show once or
indefinitely. Please go to the "Type" tab, select
the "Standard Slideshow" option and tick the
loop option.

Q:
Why do I see a message prompting me to "click to activate and use this control" when I roll my mouse over an animation?
This happens because of a recent Microsoft Internet Explorer update. To solve it and learn more about this issue please read through the instructions at the click to activate and use this control webpage.

Q:
I have inserted the SWF file into my website, but why
can't I see it?This problem sometimes occurs when
you are using the HTML code as provided by our application but haven't put the SWF file in the same folder.
Our HTML code includes a link to the SWF file, using a path
that assumes the SWF file is in the same directory as your
HTML file.

<param name=movie value="your-swf-file.swf">

However, if you put your SWF file in another directory,
for instance one called 'animations', you should update
the path within the link to reflect this.Another reason for not being able to see the SWF file
might be that you have copied
the application's HTML code to the clipboard before you
actually saved the SWF file. In this case, you will see
the following line of HTML code in your HTML page:

<PARAM NAME=movie VALUE="#SAVE
AS SWF FILE FIRST#">

If this is the case, you
can easily resolve this by replacing #SAVE AS SWF FILE
FIRST# with the correct file name (and make sure you
use the correct path as well).

Q:
I purchased the software some time ago, am I still entitled
to the package deal?Our special discount package is
meant to promote the selling of four or five applications in
one single purchase. Unfortunately, we
cannot provide a rebate or other discount to people who
have bought the applications one by one over time.

Q: How
do I add a preloader to the SWF file?Because this option is not yet available
within the Amara Slideshow Builder, we
have created a separate Flash preloader for the customers who
have a need for a preloader. Please download
the Free preloader and follow the instructions
as set out in the text file included. Check out how the Free
preloader will look on your own website.

Q:
Do you have a refund policy?
A: Please take a moment to read our position
on this issue.

Q:
Can I use spaces between the characters of the file name?Preferably not, as not all web servers
support spaces in file names. Better to use a dash instead, e.g.
"my-flash-animation.swf"

Q:
Why do I get an error when importing MP3 files?
Sometimes when importing MP3 files you may receive an error message such as Invalid MP3 Header or Wrong Format. This happens because Flash tends to be rather sensitive about the meta info in your sound file. Luckily there is a quick fix to solve this. Please click here to read how to solve this problem.

Q:
How can I improve the quality of the pictures and reduce the file size of the SWF file?
Please scale your pictures to the appropriate size in a paint
program. Although the scaling can be done in the Slide
Show Builder, you may see a decrease in the quality of the
pictures. Further scaling the pictures into the program will also unnecessarily increase the SWF file size and requires more processing than actually needed.

Q:
Does you software also work on an Apple Macintosh?
Our software runs on a Mac with Windows OS installed. The Mac must have the Intel chip and OS X or later. Nowadays, Macs come with an Intel chip allowing you to run Windows OS, on which Windows programs such as our software will work fine.

Q:
What is a target Frame?
_self - Loads the specified URL in the same window or frame
containing the Flash movie. This is the default value, if
none is specified.

_blank
- Launches a new browser window and loads the specified
URL into it, keeping the original window available.

_parent
- Loads the specified URL into the parent frameset of the
frame containing the Flash movie.

_top
- Loads the URL into the outermost frameset of the
current HTML document.

You
can also enter your own unique frame name by highlighting
any of the above default frame names and entering your own.

Q:
I use Frames but my animation appears in the wrong frame?
This happens when you entered the wrong Frame Name. Please
check in your HTML code what the correct frame name is.
Normally it's something such as MainFrame or Mainframe or
mainframe. Be exact, if the frame name uses an uppercase,
enter it as well in the target URL.

Q:
Why do I get an invalid picture error when rendering the animation?Please make sure you DO NOT use "progressive" Jpeg files. Flash
doesn't support progressive Jpeg files. Some Paint applications such
as PaintShop Pro have progressive as a default save setting.

Q:
I would like to know where I can get more background and foreground animation (movie clips) for the tools?
All our software allows you to insert either background or foreground animations (movie clips). These animations can be any other animation created with Adobe Flash or alternative tool, for example you can insert a Flash slideshow animation created with our Amara Slide Show Builder as a background movie clip in the Amara Intro Builder.

Q:
I inserted some pretty large photos and can't see them
entirely?
Please click on the "Dock" button , which is the
small square button near the "Generate and Display"
button.

Q:
After I click on Generate and Display the program returns
an error?
Our Software is based on the Flash format which does not
support progressive Jpeg files. To solve this please open
your photos in your paint program and make sure that you
do not save them as progressive Jpeg files.

Q:
What is the maximum dimension for the imported photos and
the saved SWF file your software supports?
We support pictures and SWF file output of up to 2000 pixels x
2000 pixels.